Festival of 🌲
Last night we went to the Festival of Trees to watch cousin RayLynn dance in a performance. We got some dinner and wondering around admiring the Christmas decorations. While we were eating, mom stated that this was her third year coming to this particular event. I stated there are multiple Festival of Trees in many cities and I’m sure she’s been to a few before. She said “no I’ve been this exact one with you”, I nodded and smiled and just let it go, knowing she was mistaken since it was my very first time at that venue. When we got home, as I was getting ready for bed, she came in my room and sat on the end of my bed. She said “I have quite a clear memory of coming up here when I was married to Royal I’m going to that exact event, in this town.” I stated that would be hard to do since we only moved here about two years ago and she’s been divorced from Royal for over 10 years. She was very insistent that she was in Idaho Falls about 10 years ago at the festival of trees. I stated that “memory is strange, and I’m sure she’s been to multiple events just like that”. It seems like she cannot drop the subject until she gets me to agree with her. She gets very argumentative and stubborn sometimes.
Earlier this week she was convincing Joann that as a child they were best friends and went camping together. That memory stems from September when we went up north and did some four wheeling.
I tend to agree with her reality daily, but I also know she can sense my appeasement and change of subject when she sees it, it makes her confrontational and defensive. She’s smart and reads emotions expertly. I’m struggling between joining in with her fantasies (which I’ve done many times), changing subjects (which she knows I’m doing) or orientation to reality when it’s appropriate. It’s a tightrope I’m walking on a day by day bases. And it can be exasperating sometimes.
Adventures in Mitchell 
Thank You so much for keeping us updated. So glad your are taking Karen out and doing things as a family. Remember what the lady in the “Ted Talk” said that you posted a few weeks ago. Alzheimer patients have a different reality. When they say something that can not possibly be true (remember to man who wished people Merry Christmas in July) that is their reality. Her advice was to agree with them and try to interest them in something else. You are doing a great job with your mom, and she is a hundred times better off than at Sagewood. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Are staying home, or coming down to Salt Lake? Greg posted he had shoulder surgery today. I had a shoulder replacement two years ago, so I know what it’s like. Hope he gets better real soon.
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Thank you for the message, we are staying here, Joe and his friend are coming up to stay a few days and Shaun brother and his family are coming up from NV. It’s going to be a very full house between us and Shaun’s mom. Happy thanksgiving! 🍁🍽
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Have a great Turkey Day.
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